In Autumn 2018, Involve is convening Northern Ireland’s first Citizens’ Assembly. This democratic innovation will put Northern Irish citizens at the heart of decision making on an important regional issue.

The Assembly will consist of 50 to 100 citizens, selected to be broadly representative of Northern Ireland’s population. It will meet over two weekends in Autumn 2018. The Citizens’ Assembly will consider what the public’s aspirations are for a social care system for older people that is fit for the future. It will give particular consideration to the respective roles played by the health service, communities and individuals.

As well as helping to break the deadlock around the issue of social care, it is intended that the Citizens’ Assembly pilot a model of deliberative engagement that may be adopted by the Northern Ireland Executive, the Northern Ireland Assembly and/or the Northern Ireland Office, to address further contested issues.